In the shoes of a terrorist… Release The Hounds Festival in Knaresborough

The Literary Hounds are set to be released once more as they embark on their third annual three-day festival.

Release the Hounds takes over the streets in quite a literal sense on Friday 11th – Sunday 13th September, showcasing talent, which reflects the cities. This year is bringing more contemporary, current and thought provoking theatre compared to that of the first two years.

Encouraging people to engage with contemporary arts in their hometown, this not-for-profit three-day jubilee brings performers from across the UK, allowing the locals and welcome visitors to catch shows they may previously have been unable to access. With support from Arts Council England, the events will be taking place around the town – Market Place, Art in the Mill, Henshaws Arts and Crafts Centre, The Mitre Inn, The Hart Bar – The literary dogs are making Knaresborough their own.

What does it feel like to move through the crowd unnoticed? International interactive artists Blast Theory will be challenging you to make a choice, make a phone call which puts you in the shoes of a terrorist with a script that puts you in control. Accessible 24 hours a day throughout the entire festival, this performance can be experienced whenever you choose, you only have to be in the Market Place and pick up your phone. (Fri 11th – Sun 13th Sept)

Poetry Takeaway, the World’s first mobile Poetry emporium will be stationed in the Market Place, everything prepared fresh on the premises by the team of talented Poet Chefs. They will write and perform a personalised poem for you to take away free of charge (Fri 11-Sun 13)

The likes of J.Fergus Evans with his lyrical tones and mesmerising vibe will be leading a school workshop before his own show at Art in The Mill 6pm. (Fri 11th)

The infamous Hollie McNish (‘really really amazing’ Davina McCall) will also host a school workshop before her evening show at Henshaws Arts and Crafts Centre with support by the brilliant upcoming poet Jemima Foxtrot. 7.30pm (Fri 11th)

Saturday brings the thought provoking and intimate performer Ellie Harrison as she takes audiences on a journey dealing with both public and private grief at Henshaws Arts and Crafts Centre 2.30pm. Scoot over to The Mitre Inn for 5pm where Deanna Rodger and Zia Ahmed bring a city vibe with their engaging words. (Zia Ahmed back by popular demand from last year’s festival.)

Saturday evening wraps up with the uber talented Molly Naylor who has just written a TV show which will be aired on SKY later this year, catch her at Art In The Mill 8pm.

Sunday sees the return of Third Angel performing Cape Wrath as they invite you to listen to a story told in a minivan. The festival then comes to a close with the explosive Mark Grist and his performance of ‘Rogue Teacher’ at The Hart Bar 8pm as he chronicles his transformation from being an English teacher to defeating a grime artist in a ‘student vs. teacher’ rap battle which generated millions of hits on YouTube.

Release The Hounds is the creation of DRAMA graduate Stephanie Jones. Having achieved her MASTERS in “Devising for Performance” Stephanie has returned to her hometown of Knaresborough to encourage young people to engage with the arts of the 21st century and show that a successful festival can be put on in an area that tends to float under the cultural radar.

Release the Hounds wants to give people hope, inspiration and above all, belief in their small town. Ultimately, RtH wants to communicate to young members of the community that you don’t have to move away to big cities to be a part of innovative theatre or to achieve a career in the arts. Release The Hounds wants to be proof of this. This is not a one-off event, rather the start of a long-term project appealing to people across all ages.